Alkali Metal-Silica Gel
Take The Danger Out Of Reduction Chemistry
Metallic sodium and potassium, as well as their alloys, are useful for their strong chemical reduction properties. However, their instability when exposed to oxygen, and their violent reaction with water is a severe fire hazard in the laboratory and in production facilities.
SiGNa Chemistry’s stabilized alkali metal-silica gel powders (M-SG) transform alkali metals into free-flowing, non-pyrophoric powders capable of performing reductions in a safe, streamlined process. These powders accelerate kinetics and reduce the costs of drug development and industrial chemistry while replacing hazardous conditions, such as the need for liquid ammonia, with sustainable, “green” chemical pathways.
Product Advantages
- Yield:
- Retains the highest reducing ability of the parent metal
- Kinetics:
- Performs the fastest reduction reactions at room temperature and pressure
- Ease of Use:
- Removes impurities through binding and does not require liquid ammonia or cryogenic temperatures
- Safety:
- Does not ignite spontaneously in air and does not react with oxygen gas
- Cost:
- Lower insurance, shipping, and safety expenses associated with its use on the industrial scale
- Stage 0 M-SG: Pyrophoric, free-flowing, shiny black powder capable of reducing Teflon® in its solid state. This material is easily handled under Nitrogen.
- Stage I M-SG: Dry air-stable, free-flowing, non-pyrophoric black powder that retains the reactivity equivalent of its parent alkali metal.
- Stage II M-SG: Air-stable, free-flowing, non-pyrophoric black powder that contains nano-crystalline domains of metal silicide. The reactivity is strong enough to reduce simple molecules and water.
Typical Reactions
SiGNa Spotlight
New Discoveries
Currently SiGNa is working on the next element in the alkali metal family, Lithium. A number of new discoveries have been made. Read More